Machine for winding strand and ribbonlike materials such as sutures and bandages



Nov. 6, 1951 Filed July 30, 1948 R. H. WORSHAM MACHINE FOR WINDING STRAND AND RIBBON-LIKE MATERIALS SUCH AS SUTURES AND BANDAGES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Z6 2@ w Fig 1 fzgi 7 33 21. .33 4

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fiqyHh orsficwz ATTOR N EY Nov. 6, 1951 R. H. WORSHAM 2,574,364

MACHINE FOR WINDING STRAND AND RIBBON-LIKE MATERIALS SUCH AS SUTURES AND BANDAGES Filed July so, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN V EN TOR.

153g Wqfklllll Patented Nov. 6, 1951 MACHINE FOR WINDING STRAND AND RIB- BONLIKE MATERIALS SUCH AS SUTURES AND BANDAGES Roy H. Worsham, Augusta, Ga.

Application July 30, 1948, Serial No. 41,463

8 Claims.

material such as a muslin or gauze bandage,

rubber tubing or the like, so that the suture can be sterilized without stretching or breaking it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character indicated above adapted to wind the suture from a spool onto a wheel permitting the cutting of the suture into a plurality of threads of a predetermined length in one operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character indicated above provided with a plurality of wheels of different circumferences adapted to receive the suture from a corresponding number of spools.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character indicated above comprising a comparatively small bobbin adapted to be filled with suture from the spool, to be removed from the machine and to be carried by a physician for use in emergency cases.

Other objects of the invention not specifically mentioned may appear in the following specification describing the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not to be limited or restricted to the exact construction and combination of parts described in the specification and shown in the drawing, but that such changes and modifications can be made, which fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

In order that my invention may be better understood I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in topplan of a Winding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, portions being broken away;

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the device as comprised in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation with the bracket removed;

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of the machine opposite to Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in plan illustrating a slight modification of the invention.

The machine for preparing sutures, bandages and the like embodied herein comprises a substantially rectangular base block ID. A pair of upwardly projecting standards II are secured to said block intermediate of its ends, and at equal distances from its longitudinal center line. A transverse shaft I2 extends parallel to the surface of the block Ill through the standards II adjacent to the upper ends thereof and isrotatably supported by said standards in bearings Ila. A comparatively small pulley I3 is firmly mounted on the transverse shaft I2 and is located between the two standards II. A wheel I 4 having an annular groove I5 in its circumferential surface is securely but removably mounted on the transverse shaft I2 adjacent to the outside surface of one of the standards II and a second wheel I6 having an annular groove I! in its circumferential surface is mounted securely but removably on the transverse shaft adjacent to the outside surface of the other standard. The wheels I4 and I6 have predetermined circumferences.

A second pair of standards I8 are mounted on the block In and extend upwardly therefrom. They are arranged adjacent to one end edge of said block and at equal distances from the longitudinal center line of the base block II. A drive shaft I9 extends through the two standards I8 parallel to the transverse shaft I2 adjacent to the upper ends of the standards I8 and is rotatably supported by these standards. A comparatively large pulley 20 is rigidly mounted on the drive shaft I9 between the standards I8 and is aligned with the comparatively small pulley I3. A belt 2I is trained over the two pulleys. A hand crank 22 is mounted on one end portion of the drive shaft I9 extending outwardly of one of the standards I3 so that the transverse shaft I2 is driven at a comparatively high speed when the drive shaft I9 is rotated by means of the hand crank 22. It is, however, especially pointed out, that the drive shaft I9 may be driven by any suitable mechanical means, such as a motor or the like, and that the power may be transmitted from the drive shaft I9 to the transverse driven shaft I2 by any preferred suitable means, such as sprocket gears and a sprocket chain or the like. In order to strengthen the standards I8 each of these standards may be provided with a guy member 23. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing a turn-buckle is shown as serving as guy member of each standard I8. It is, however, to be understood, that any other suitable means may be used.

Adjacent to the upper end edge of the base III opposite to the standards I8 a pair of right angled brackets 24 is secured to the base so that one leg of each bracket extends upwardly and approximately in alignment with the inner surface of one of the wheels I4 and I6. In each upward bracket leg a plurality of holes 25 are provided and to each bracket 24 a spindle MS is removably secured, by inserting it in one of the holes 25 and fastening it by means of nuts 21. Each spindle extends parallel to the end edges of the base l toward the adjacent side edge thereof. A spool 28 having a continuous thread or suture 29 wound thereon is supported on each of the spindles 26 for rotation. A curved spring arm 30 is fastened at one of its ends to the base [6 in front of each spool 28 and an eye 3| is formed on its other end and is adapted to exert pressure or friction on the adjacent spool to prevent the thread from unwinding to fast and to keep the suture wound snugly in the grooves l and I1. One end portion 32 of a guide wire G is wound about each spindle 26 adjacent to the bracket 24 supporting the respective spindle and is secured in position by the nut 21 fastening the spindle to the bracket. Each guide wire G is bent to extend toward the adjacent wheel I4, or l6, respectively, so that a downwardly pointing hook 33, formed on the free end portion of each guide wire G, is arranged adjacent to the rim of the respective wheel. The free end of the suture 29 is guided by the respective guide hook 33 to a small screw 33' or the like inserted in the respective wheel adjacent to the groove 15 or I! and is fastened to said screw in any suitable manner. The suture is placed into the groove l5 or I? respectively. By rotating the driving shaft (9 the transverse shaft [2 and the wheels l4 and I6 are rotated winding the sutures 29 from the spools 28 onto the wheels so that one suture is in the groove I? of the wheel I6. In the rims of each of these grooves a comparatively large finger notch 34 and a narrower knife notch 35 are provided so that the suture on the wheel can be held in position by a finger extended into the finger notch and can be divided into a plurality of threads 36 of approximately equal length by a sharp knife or the like inserted through the knife notch. The length of the threads 36 depends on the circumference of the supporting wheel so that a continuous suture 29 can be cut with one operation into a plurality of threads of predetermined length by using a wheel of a predetermined circumference.

On one of the end portions of the transverse shaft l2 protruding beyond the wheel I4 or IE mounted thereon, a rubber sleeve 3! is mounted and projects slightly beyond the end of the transverse shaft IE to form an annular seat 38 for a comparatively small bobbin 39 fitting with one of its slightly convex end plates 46 into said seat. A blade spring 4| is secure-d at one end in any preferred conventional manner to the base block ill and extends upwardly therefrom. Adjacent to the upper end of said blade spring a slightly concave disc 42 is mounted rotatably about its center axis so that the concave side of the disc faces the annular rubber seat 36. The concave disc 42 is provided with a rubber lining 43 and the curvature of said disc is such that it fits snugly onto the slightly convex end plates 40 of the bobbin 39. When the bobbin is put into the seat 38 the blade spring 4| urges the disc 42 against the bobbin holding it in position and when the transverse shaft I2 is then set into rotary movement, the bobbin 39 is also rotated about its axis, the disc 42 rotating also about its axis in consequence of the frictional adherence between the rubber seat 38 and the bobbin and between the bobbin and the rubber lined concave disc 42. The bobbin 39 is preferably made from glass but can be made from any other suitable material. The numeral 44 designates a downwardlv pointing guide hook which has a straight 4 shank 45, which is secured at its lower end to the block [0 and the guide hook 44 is located in alignment with the groovelike middle portion of the bobbin 39 between said bobbin and the spool 28 on the spindle 26 adjacent to the side of the apparatus on which the bobbin is mounted. This makes it possible to thread the free end of the suture 29 through the guide hook 44 onto the bobbin and fill the latter with suture, so that the comparatively small bobbin after being removed from the machine may be conveniently carried about for use in emergency cases.

The end portion of the transverse shaft opposite to the one on which the rubber sleeve 31 is mounted, extends also beyond the wheel l4 or l6 mounted thereon, and the projecting shaft end portion is threaded as shown at 46. A conventional chuck 41 is adjustably mounted on the threaded shaft end portion 46 and a partially split rod 48 is adapted to be received and securely held in the chuck 46. The end of a gauze bandage 49 or the like is inserted into the longitudinal slot 50 of the rod 48 and when the transverse driven shaft is set into rotary movement, the bandage is rolled about the rod, so that the rolled bandage can be slidingly removed from said rod.

Directly underneath the chuck 47 a bracket bar 5! is removably secured in any conventional manner to the block ID, from which it extends laterally. On the free end portion of the bracket bar 5| a right angled bracket 52 is secured, so that one leg of said right angled bracket extends upwardly. A supporting means 53 such as a clamp or the like is equipped with a shank 54 extending rotatably through the upwardly projecting bracket leg adjacent its upper end and arranged substantially coaxially with the chuck 47. A spindle bar 55 is covered with a rubber tubing 56, or any other suitable material and an end of the bar 55 is removably secured in the chuck 41 and the other end is held in the supporting clamp 53. When the machine is started the spindle bar 55 is rotated about its axis and sutures 36 wound on a spool held in the hand, bandages or the like can be wound onto the tubing 56, so that they can be sterilized while supported thereon without being stretched or broken.

A lengthwise adjustable leg 51 may be removably secured underneath the bracket bar 5| adjacent the free end thereof to support said bar on any surface on which the machine is located.

I claim:

1. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, an elastic sleeve on one end portion of the driven shaft and extending slightlybeyond the shaft to form an annular seat, a bobbin having end plates one fitting into said seat, and a concave disc fitting onto the other end plate of said bobbin and mounted rotatably about its axis on an end of a blade spring mounted on the base, said blade urging the disc into engagement with the adjacent bobbin end plate.

2. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, an elastic sleeve on one end portion of the driven shaft and extending slightly beyond the shaft to form an annular seat, a bobbin having end plates one fitting into said seat, and a concave disc fitting onto the other end plate of said bobbin and mounted rotatably about its axis on an end of a blade spring mounted on the base, said blade urging the disc into engagement with the adjacent bobbin end late, the concave side of the disc being lined with an elastic material.

3. A machine for winding material of the character stated comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, one end portion of the driven shaft being threaded, and a chuck mounted on said threaded shaft end ortion and adapted to receive a rod for rolling bandages.

4. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a Wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, a chuck mounted on one end portion of the driven shaft, a bracket bar removably mounted on the base directly under the chuck and extending laterally from said base, a right angled bracket mounted on the free end portion of the bracket bar, one leg of said angled bracket extending upwardly, a supporting means rotatably secured to said upwardly extending leg coaxially with the chuck, and a spindle bar supported by said means and said chuck.

5. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, a chuck mounted on one end portion of the driven shaft, a bracket bar removably mounted on the base directly under the chuck and extending laterally from said base, a right angled bracket mounted on the free end portion of the bracket bar, one leg of said angled bracket extending upwardly, a supporting means rotatably secured to said upwardly extending leg coaxially with the chuck, and a spindle bar supported by said means and said chuck, said spindle bar being covered by a material adapted to be sterilized and said spindle bar being adapted to receive sutures to be sterilized without stretching or breaking.

6. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, a chuck mounted on one end portion of the driven shaft, a bracket bar removably mounted on the base directly under the chuck and extending laterally from said base, a right angled bracket mounted on the free end portion of the bracket bar, one leg of said angled bracket extending upwardly, a supporting means rotatably secured to said upwardly extending leg coaxially with the chuck, a spindle bar supported by said means and said chuck, and a leg removably mounted on the underside of the bracket bar adjacent its outer end.

'7. A machine for winding material of the character stated, comprising a base, a substantially horizontal spindle supported on the base to rotatably support a spool of strand material, a driven shaft rotatably mounted on said base parallel to said spindle, a wheel of predetermined circumference mounted on the driven shaft to be rotated thereby and having a peripheral channel to receive the strand from the spool in a plurality of convolutions, a chuck mounted on one end portion of the driven shaft, a bracket bar removably mounted on the base under the chuck and extending laterally from said base, a right angled bracket mounted on the free end portion of the bracket bar, one leg of said angled bracket extending upwardly, a supporting means rotatably secured to said upwardly extending leg coaxially with the chuck, and a spindle bar supported by said means and said chuck, said spindle bar being covered by a material adapted to be sterilized and said spindle bar being adapted to receive sutures, to be sterilized without stretching or breaking, the length of said leg being adjustable.

8. A machine for winding material of the character stated comprising a base, a spindle thereon for rotatably supporting a spool of strand material, a rotatable shaft adjacent to the spindle, means for rotating the shaft, an elastic sleeve upon said shaft at one end, the sleeve extending beyond the end of the shaft to form an annular seat, a bobbin having slightly convex end faces, one of said end faces fitting into said seat, a concave disc fitting on the other end face of the bobbin, a spring blade secured at one end and having its other end disposed across the outer side of said disc, and means rotatably supporting said disc on the said other end of said blade.

ROY H. WORSHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 298,670 Crosby May 13, 1884 482,932 Tourangeau Sept. 20, 1892 507,528 Currie Oct. 31, 1893 518,048 Wright Apr. 10, 1894 769,548 Laughton Sept. 6, 1904 1,032,085 Ryden July 9, 1912 

